Release and capture of a fixed-wing aircraft

1. A method, comprising:

coupling an unmanned, multirotor helicopter to a fixed-wing aircraft;

elevating the fixed-wing aircraft from a launch site to a release altitude using the unmanned, multirotor helicopter;

accelerating the fixed-wing aircraft to a release speed using the unmanned, multirotor helicopter;

releasing the fixed-wing aircraft from the unmanned, multirotor helicopter upon reaching the release speed;

returning the unmanned, multirotor aircraft to the launch site;

elevating, the unmanned, multirotor helicopter, from the launch site and accelerating, the unmanned, multirotor helicopter;

capturing the fixed-wing aircraft using the multirotor helicopter;

decelerating the unmanned, multirotor helicopter and the captured fixed-wing aircraft to a hover; and

descending the unmanned, multirotor helicopter and the captured fixed-wing aircraft to the launch site;

wherein capturing the fixed-wing aircraft further comprises:

coordinating a capture sequence between the fixed-wing aircraft and the multirotor helicopter, the capture sequence comprising:

flying the unmanned, multirotor helicopter at an elevation above the fixed-wing aircraft until the unmanned, multirotor helicopter and the fixed-wing aircraft have synchronized vectors and speeds, and then in response, descending the unmanned multirotor helicopter in elevation and connecting the fixed-wing aircraft to the unmanned, multirotor helicopter; and

prior to flying the unmanned, multirotor helicopter at an elevation above the fixed-wing aircraft until the unmanned, multirotor helicopter and the fixed-wing aircraft have synchronized vectors and speeds, communicating a desired capture speed of the fixed-wing aircraft, a desired capture elevation of the fixed-wing aircraft, and a desired capture vector of the fixed-wing aircraft between the fixed-wing aircraft and the multirotor aircraft.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein accelerating the fixed-wing aircraft to a release speed using the unmanned, multirotor helicopter further comprises utilizing a propulsion system of the fixed-wing aircraft to enhance the acceleration of the unmanned, multirotor helicopter.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein upon releasing the fixed-wing aircraft, the unmanned multirotor helicopter elevates away from the fixed-wing aircraft to avoid downdraft interference with the fixed-wing aircraft.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the unmanned multirotor helicopter is controlled by a remotely located pilot.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein elevating, accelerating, releasing, and returning are performed by the multirotor helicopter autonomously.